The LGBT Sport Podcast

October is Black History Month - and we wanted to use this episode of the podcast to spotlight some of the brilliant black sportspeople who have joined us over the course of the past three years.

So, we’ve gone back into the archives to revisit some great conversations featuring people who are smashing it at all levels in their chosen discipline, and hear their stories from in and out of sport.

We’ll hear from Olympians, pro-wrestlers, activists, grass-roots athletes and more on this trip down memory lane for this special compilation episode.

Don’t forget, all our guests have in-depth interviews in the back-catalogue that you can hear in full – and you can see more brilliant content for Black History Month across BBC Sport’s platforms throughout October.

And stay listening to the end of this episode, as we start to dip into our reviews to look at exactly where people join us from each week!

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With a childhood love of the beautiful game and a father who officiated in the Football League, it somehow seemed inevitable that James Adcock would find his way into refereeing.

And with more than 500 matches under his belt in a career that’s taken him from the amateur level to the Premier League, it’s fair to say James has now done pretty much everything when it comes to being a ref.

James also happens to be gay – and has decided that now is the right time to talk publicly about his sexuality for the first time on this special episode of the podcast, which coincides with National Coming Out Day.

This is a cracker of an episode that touches on all sorts of different things – how it feels to walk out in front of 40,000 fans at places like Elland Road and Old Trafford; the highs and lows of refereeing; telling his colleagues and now, the wider world, about his sexuality; how he hopes the footballing world as a whole will react to his story; whether he’s happy to be a role model to other LGBTQ+ people in the game: his love of fitness and staying healthy; starting a new business in lockdown; and so, so much more.

We’re really grateful James took the time to join us for a really memorable episode, and we think you’re going to like it.

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Lor Sabourin started rock-climbing when they were just twelve years old.

They had to overcome a fear of falling to really succeed in the sport - but now, they're known for conquering some of the most intimidating ascents out there.

Lor happens to be transgender - and the story of their journey in the sport is the subject of a brand-new film named 'They/Them’ which was released on Thursday and is available to view online right now.

So, it's the perfect time to have Lor onto the podcast - and they're an absolutely brilliant guest.

We cover all sorts of things in this episode, from overcoming a fear of falling; feeling like you belong in a sport; coming to terms with your own identity; opening themselves up to be the subject of a film – it’s all in here.

This truly is a fascinating conversation, and we’re so glad Lor was able to join us for it.

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It was hard to watch the Olympics in Tokyo and not know who Raven Saunders is.

The Team USA athlete wore a collections of masks while competing that were inspired by Marvel Comics characters like the Hulk, and twerked in celebration after completing her final throw in the shotput.

After clinching a silver medal, she crossed her arms in an X on the podium to represent the ‘intersection of where all people who are oppressed meet’ – and has used her platform to talk frankly about her own experiences of poor mental health, and her pride in being a black, gay woman.

So, we really were spoiled for choice when it came to this conversation, which touches on all those things and so, so much more. We really think this chat will stick with you for a long time, and we’re so grateful Raven made the time for it.

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Joseph Parsons has loved sport for as long as he can remember.

From the joys of non-league football to the thrill of getting along to Ashton Gate, it's always been part of the comedian's life - but like many LGBTQ+ people, he didn't always find it easy to reconcile that with his identity as a gay man.

Now, Joseph is turning his experiences of being an LGBTQ+ sports fan into a brilliant new hour of stand-up that explores issues like body image, LGBTQ+ equality in sport, and coming to terms with his own sexuality.

This conversation touches on all those things and so much more besides - and it's one we think you're absolutely going to love. It's a very, very funny chat - and if you've ever wondered what it's like to bomb in front of a Premier League legend, Joseph has you covered!

Plus, it's our 200th episode - so we look back at some of the brilliant guests who have joined us on the show over the past three years.

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If you follow professional wrestling, you’ll know who Nyla Rose is.

A former AEW Women’s World Champion, she’s been a stalwart of the All Elite Wrestling women’s division since the company’s debut in 2019.

Nyla also happens to be the first transgender wrestler signed to a major American promotion – and as AEW prepares for its biggest show ever tonight in front of a sold out crowd in New York, we thought it was the perfect time to have her onto the show.

There’s so much in this conversation with Nyla – her love of wrestling; signing with AEW; winning the world championship; the importance of representation and visibility and so much more.

It’s a cracking conversation, and we’re chuffed to bits that Nyla found the time to join us for it.

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It’s been thirty years since Stonewall FC was founded in London as an inclusive place for people who wanted to play football.

Three decades on, the club has gone from strength to strength to strength – so it only made sense for us to speak with Stonewall FC’s club chair Alex Baker for a cracking episode of the podcast.

Alex has an amazing footballing story to tell in his own right – as a referee, the vice-president of IGLFA (the International Gay and Lesbian Football Association) and, as of the end of July, one of the National Game Community Reps on the FA Council with responsibility for increasing diversity and inclusion in the game.

This is a cracking conversation that takes in loads of different topics – from how Alex got into football (with a little Championship Manager chat!); finding Stonewall FC and the difference the club has made in his life; becoming a referee and the challenges and joys that come with that… honestly, there’s so much to enjoy in this one.

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Sebastian Vettel is a legend of Formula 1.

The four-time world champion took part in his first grand prix when he was just nineteen years old, and has topped the podium in F1 on more than fifty occasions.

But recently, Vettel has made headlines due to his visibility as an LGBTQ+ ally, wearing rainbow-coloured attire at the Hungarian Grand Prix to show his support for the LGBTQ+ community in the country and around the world.

So, we’re delighted to welcome Sebastian to the podcast, alongside Aston Martin F1 comms chief Matt Bishop – who you might remember joined us last year to talk about his experiences of being a gay man in motorsport – for another of our special allyship episodes.

It’s a cracking conversation with two brilliant guests that we feel very lucky to be able to bring you, and we hope you enjoy it.

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It’s no exaggeration to say Cyd Zeigler helped to change the game when it comes to telling LGBTQ+ stories in sport.

As the co-founders of Outsports.com, he’s been helping to share the stories of LGBTQ+ people in sport for more than two decades – with Michael Sam, John Amaechi and Conner Mertens just a few of the big names he’s worked with.

So, it only seemed right to finally have him on the show to talk about his own journey.

It’s a cracking listen, touching on all aspects of Cyd’s journey – from his own personal love of sport; the founding of Outsports and its growth; when he realised it was making a difference; how the sports landscape has changed; what the future looks like for Outsports; and so, so much more.

It’s a brilliant episode, this, with a great guest – and we really think you’re going to love it!

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If you want to know what’s going on in horse racing, there are few better people to ask than Lee Mottershead.

The Racing Post senior writer has covered all the big races during his time in the sport, and sat down for in-depth interviews with everyone from elite trainers to champion jockeys.

This is a fascinating conversation that looks at all sorts of different things – where Lee’s passion for horse racing comes from; how he got his break in journalism and meeting his heroes; his most memorable stories; being an out gay man covering the sport; the Racing with Pride network and the work it does; and so, so much more.

It’s a great episode, this – and we really think you’ll like it.

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